SVG Constitution – St.Vincent and the Grenadines Constitution

Archive for November, 2009

Anticipation about  the results of the SVG Referendum 2009

It seems like almost everyone to whom I have spoken and who have emailed me is predicting a negative outcome for the 2009 referendum/constitution/election results.  I literally had to shout over the  phone in order to calm down friend who was on her way to get panic attack, she feared that this constitution bill will not pass.  She eventually calmed down when I told her that the majority of people of St.Vincent and the Grenadines are God fearing and whatever the results of the referendum it is the will of almighty God.

Only a few hours to go before the results of the SVG Constitution 2009 results are known.

Persons have been voting online on this website for or against the SVG Constitution Bill 2009 and results have been very close thus far.  So if you have not taken the referendum poll click on the link below and vote YES or NO.

As of 3:30 today 46% YES – 54% NO. What would the real world results be?  80 minutes to go before the polls close here in SVG.  By midnight tonight the preliminary results will be known.  In the mean time, participate in the poll below.

http://www.svgconstitution.com/svg-referendum-question/

The Results are in
Yes 43.13%
No 55.64%

The SVG Constitution 2009 has been rejected by the people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Referenfum Day in SVG

The day has finally arrived.  Today Vincentians in St.Vincent and the Grenadines will be voting on the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Constitution Bill 2009.  In order for this new Constitution to become effective, 67% of persons casting their votes must vote YES, if just 34% of persons successfully cast their ballots  and vote NO to the new referendum, Vincentians will have to do good with the old 1979 SVG Constitution and wait until a few years from now to pursue this task again.

From all reports, up to midday today, the various polling stations have had no serious incidents.  The voters are orderly and patient.   Even though rain has been pouring continuously around the island, the turnout appears to be in the big numbers.

History is in the making, no matter how the results will eventually be.  It is now a fact that more than 70% of  persons living in St.Vincent and the Grenadines are now even more aware of the Constitution and that it exists to protect their rights and govern them.

I must say that the sad part of the process was that it was tarnished by politics, especially in the past month.  There were accusations between both parties, threats on rally podiums to ordinary citizens, lies, deception, deceit, irrelevant debates and rants and scare mongering tactics and I can go on and on on some of the negatives, which mostly came from the opponents of the bill.

In the end, it will be the Vincentians who go to the polls that decides if the 1979 Constitution is kept or if the 2009 Constitution passes the test.  Sixty Seven percent (67%) is a tall order to achieve and if that is accomplished fairly, it will be the grudge of the modern civilisation and history.

Will the St Vincent and the Grenadines Constitution Bill 2009 be successful?  Lets wait and see.

The Prime Minister of St.Vincent and the Grenadines the Honorable Dr. Ralph Gonsalves held a press conference today with regards to some new developing information.

What is this new information?

Basically the press conference was a call out to the leader of the opposition, the honorable  Arnhim Eustace of the New Democratic Party, the prime minister wants Mr Eustace to disclose how is the NDP ”Vote No Campaign” being funded.  He has brought to the attention of the people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines that there is a possibility that a company, Strategic Communication Laboratories (http://www.scl.cc)  , a company from UK is somewhat behind the no campaigns in St.Vincent and the Grenadines for the NDP and he just want the opposition leader to deny or confirm this information.

He also disclosed that Arnhim Euastace hurriedly made a trip to St.Kitts over the weekend.  Why?,  is the question asked by the PM.

Also, the prime minister stated that if the referendum is passed successfully on Wednesday 25th, there will be bank holiday on Monday 30th November 2009.

Some Reasons to Vote Yes for the SVG Constitution 2009

Below are just some of the reasons to vote yes for the St.Vincent and the Grenadines Constitution 2009.

1. The preamble begins with the words “Whereas the Peoples of the Islands of St.Vincent and the Grenadines, who are known as Vincentians have affirmed their Nation is founded on the belief in the supremacy of God and the Freedom and dignity of man”

2.  A new chapter spelling out the “Guidelines of State Policy” which emphasis, among other things, that “the people” (not the Queen) are sovereign and elevate a host of progessive consideration to constitutional status, in the people’s interest.

3.  The new constitution does not take away or subtract one single fundamental right and freedom which we enjoy today.  In fact it adds to the bundle of rights and freedoms, including: the right to effectively restoring the death penalty; the right to private property; the right to collective bargaining; and the explicit right to freedom of the press.

4.  The new Constitution establishes a home-grown non-executive President (to replace the Governor General) with consitutional safeguards

5.  The establishment of an Independent Human Rights Commission (to address abuses of citizens human rights); an Independent Integrity Commission (to oversee “the integrity of parliamentarians, senior public/police officers); an Independent Ombudsman (to address the administrative abuses of peoples’ rights); an Independent Parliamentary Commission (to exercise the Perogative of Mercy and other functions); an Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission and an Independent Chief Electoral Officer; an effective system of Local Government with special provisions of Grenadines.

6.  The strengthening of the Judiciary by replacing the Privy Council with the Caribbean Court of Justice and providing for a security of tenure for Magistrates and thus for their Independence.

7.  Deepening and widening Parliamentary democracy and representative government by: A mixed electoral system of constituency elections and proportional representation nationally; participation by civil society in parliamentary debates; compulsory reportage by elected representatives; extraordinary oversight powers over government spending by the opposition dominated Public Accounts Committee; increasing the size of the parliament from 21 top 27 members; limiting the size of cabinet to 12 members plus the prime minister; setting a more or less fixed date for general elctions after the expiration of 4 years 9 months of the 5 year term; outlawing “crossing the floor” in the House;  making the Prime Ministed removable after a vote of  no-confidence in the House and before the general elections following; permitting ministers of religion to contest elections;  and allowing Vincentians with dual or multiple citizenships to run for elections.

8.  Reducing the powers of the Prime Minister and increasing the powers of the Minority Leader (Leader of the Opposition).

9.  Makig the appointments to the Public Service Commissions less political and more transparent.

10.  Establishing the Teaching Service Commission.

11.  Denying citizenship for foreigners based on “marriages of convenience” between them and nationals.

12.  Making access to the High Court on constitutional matters much easier.

13.  Facilating deeper regional integration.

14.  Protecting the range of public offices from political appointment or supervision

15.  Building mechanisms for more extensive consultation and consensus-making in and between several public authorities.

16.  The new constitution is a Women’s Charter, a Youth Charter, a Workers Charter, a poor People’s Charter, a Believer’s Charter, a Charter for the Elderly, a Children’s Charter, a Property-Owner’s Charter, a Charter for Justice and Freedom, a Charter for Democracy and Good Governance.